[The role of matrix vesicles during development of the mineralizing tissues of tooth germ and craniofacial bone]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of matrix vesicles (MVs) during the development of mineralizing tissues.

METHODS

The ultrastructure of MVs of tooth germ, calvarial bone and mandibular bone were observed by transmission electron microscopy in fetal Wistar rat.

RESULTS

(1) The MVs were formed by osteoblast of the secret type, dentinoblast and process; (2) There was a mature process of the MVs in the extracellular matrix. The appearance of the hydroxyapatite (HAP) was a major mature feature; (3) HAP formed initially in the MVs entered into collage matrix and eventually mineralized; (4) The shifting sign of HAP from MVs to the surface of collage fibril was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The MVs played an important role in the biomineralization, but the special arrange pattern of mature collage fiber provided a suitable environment and a model to the growth of HAP for further mineralization.

[Evaluation of the curative effect of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the curative effect of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were treated by combination chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiotherapy as study group , and another 29 patients given radiotherapy only as control group.

RESULTS

CR , CR + PR and PD in the study group were 55. 2 %(32/58) , 65. 5 %(38/ 58) , 8. 6 %(5/ 58) , and 24. 1 %(7/ 29) , 31. 0 %(9/ 29) , 44. 8 %(13/ 29) in the control group respectively. There were remarkable differences between the two groups ( P < 0. 01) . The 1 , 2 and 3 year survival rates in study group were significantly higher than those of control group ( P < 0. 01) .

CONCLUSIONS

Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiotherapy is helpful to improving curative effects and survival rates in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer , and it should be spread in clinical practice.

[Effect of Baoyuan Qiangshen capsule no. II on tubular interstitial injury in chronic renal failure patients]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Baoyuan Qiangshen Capsule No. II (BYQS) in treating chronic renal failure (CRF).

METHODS

Sixty patients of CRF were divided into 2 groups randomly, the tested group treated with BYQS combined with Lotensin and the control group treated with essential amino acid combined with Lotensin. Changes of renal function and tubular marked proteins were observed.

RESULTS

The markedly effective rate and total effective rate of the tested group were 63.3% and 93.3% respectively and those of the control group were 30.0% and 56.7% respectively, the effect of the tested group was markedly better than that of the control group (P < 0.01). In the tested group after treatment, BUN, SCr and CCr were improved significantly, urine retinol binding protein and beta 2-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamindase decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while Tamm-Horfau protein increased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

BYQS could alleviate tubular interstitial injury significantly so as to improve the renal function and enhance the effective rate in treating CRF.

Inhibition of DNA synthesis in isolated human endometrial cells by a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of an intrauterine device (IUD) releasing 20 micrograms levonorgestrel (LNG) per 24 hours on DNA synthesis in human endometrial cells before and after 12 months of use.

STUDY DESIGN

Endometrial specimens were collected from the anterior or posterior wall of the miduterus from 6 females on cycle day 10-12 before insertion of the IUD and after 12 months of use.

RESULTS

Previous results from our group did not reveal any influence on endometrial DNA cell content when a levonorgestrel IUD releasing 2 micrograms/24 h was used for 12 months in a group of fertile females. In this study, the IUD release rate, 20 micrograms LNG/24 h, was statistically significantly different from the results in the previous studies. The effect of the levonorgestrel IUD on endometrial proliferation was dose dependent, and a significant correlation could be found between continuous exposure to LNG and inhibition of DNA synthesis in endometrial cells.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of proliferative activity in endometrial cells seems to be reflected by a decrease in DNA synthesis per cell nucleus and contributes to the clinical performance of the LNG-releasing IUD.

The opcA and (psi)opcB regions in Neisseria: genes, pseudogenes, deletions, insertion elements and DNA islands

Previous data have indicated that the opc gene encoding an immunogenic invasin is specific to Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and is lacking in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). The data presented here show that Nm and Ng both contain two paralogous opc-like genes, opcA, corresponding to the former opc gene, and (psi)opcB, a pseudogene. The predicted OpcA and OpcB proteins possess transmembrane regions with conserved non-polar faces but differ extensively in four of the five surface-exposed loops. Gonococcal OpcA was expressed weakly under in vitro conditions, and it is unknown whether these bacteria can express this protein at high levels. Analysis of the sequences flanking opcA and (psi)opcB revealed a framework of conserved housekeeping genes interspersed with DNA islands. These regions also contained several pseudogenes, deletions and IS elements, attesting to considerable genome plasticity. Both opcA and (psi)opcB are located on DNA islands that have probably been imported from unrelated bacteria. A third island encodes the dcmD/dcrD R/M genes in Ng versus a small open reading frame in most strains of Nm. Rare strains of Nm were identified in which the R/M island has been imported. DNA islands in Nm and Ng seem to have been acquired by recombination via conserved flanking housekeeping genes rather than by insertion of mobile genetic elements.

A 36-residue peptide contains all of the information required for 7B2-mediated activation of prohormone convertase 2

The prohormone convertases (PCs) are serine proteinases responsible for the processing of secretory protein precursors. PC2 is the only member of this family whose activation requires intracellular interaction with a helper protein, the neuroendocrine protein 7B2. In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of proPC2 activation, we have characterized the structural determinants of 7B2 required for proPC2 activation. We had already identified a proline-rich binding determinant in the 21-kDa domain, the portion of 7B2 responsible for proPC2 activation. We have now investigated the function of the weakly conserved amino-terminal portion of 21-kDa 7B2 by sequential deletions. Mutant proteins were analyzed in four assays: binding to proPC2, facilitation of proPC2 maturation, and activation of proPC2 in vivo and in vitro. We found that the amino-terminal half of 7B2 is not involved in proPC2 activation, and we identified an active 36-residue peptide that contains the previously characterized proline-rich sequence as well as an alpha-helix and the only disulfide bond of 7B2. Mutation of the alpha-helix and of the cysteines demonstrated that these determinants are absolutely required for PC2 activation. Thus, the 186-residue full-length 7B2 rat protein can be functionally reduced to an internal segment of only 36 residues.

[The suppression of T cell functions and its relationship with the change of signal transduction after trauma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between the suppression of T cell functions and the change of signal transduction in traumatized mice.

METHODS

60 Balb/c mice were randomized into six groups: normal control, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 10th day posttrauma (n = 10). A murine closed trauma model was used, T cells were separated from splenocytes using nylon column. T cell functions were determined and their relationship with intracellular signal transduction was investigated.

RESULTS

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) mRNA and IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha) mRNA levels were decreased in activated T cells from traumatized mice, IL-2 production, IL-2R alpha expression and T lymphocytes transformation were suppressed. cAMP contents in activated T cells were increased after trauma while cGMP contents, free calcium (Ca2+) concentration and protein kinase C (PKC) activities were decreased. These changes were closely related to the suppression of T cell functions. In addition, adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) activities were increased while cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE), calmodulin (CaM), CaM-dependent protein kinase (CaM-PK) activities were decreased. Levamisole (a stimulator of cGMP), H-8 (an inhibitor of PKA), A23187 (an ionophore of Ca2+) and TPA (an activator of PKC) could in vitro elevate activated T cell functions after trauma in various degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

Alteration in the pathway of signal transduction following trauma related to cyclic nucleotide and phosphatidylinositol metabolism in activated T cells participate in mediating the suppressive progress of T cell functions.

Bradykinin-dependent cardioprotective effects of losartan against ischemia and reperfusion in rat hearts

It is unclear whether losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, protects the heart against acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore we evaluated cardiac protection conferred by pre- and postischemic treatment as well as by exclusive postischemic treatment with losartan. Furthermore, we sought to determine both the extent of this protection and its dependence on bradykinin in comparison with quinaprilat, a cardioprotective angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Cardiac protection was assessed as recovery of coronary flow, left ventricular developed pressure, phosphocreatine, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in isolated perfused rat hearts after 15 min of global ischemia and 30 min of postischemic reperfusion. We found that, in hearts pre- and postischemically treated with losartan (1 microM) or quinaprilat (0.1 microM), these variables all recovered significantly better than those in untreated control hearts. In hearts that were only postischemically treated with losartan, these variables also recovered significantly better than those in control hearts. In contrast, in hearts treated with the combination of the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 with quinaprilat or losartan, the recovery of the variables no longer differed from that in control hearts. In conclusion, losartan protects the heart against acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. This protection can be achieved by pre- and postischemic treatment as well as by exclusive postischemic treatment with losartan. Furthermore, the extent of this protection is equivalent to that conferred by quinaprilat and, unexpectedly, dependent on bradykinin.

The effect of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device on human endometrial oestrogen and progesterone receptors after one year of use

Thirty-four women bearing a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, 20 micrograms/day (LNG-IUD-20), for 12-15 months were recruited. Endometrial biopsies were collected during the late proliferative phase of the cycle (on cycle days 10-12) before (control) and after the use of the IUD for 12 months, and assayed for oestrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). An immunohistochemical technique with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase detection system (PAP method) was employed. D75 and JZB39 were the primary antibodies for ER and PR respectively. The immunostaining semiquantitative analysis was performed with a computerized microscope image processor, and expressed as 'grey value'. Both endometrial ER and PR populations were significantly lower after insertion of the IUD (P < 0.01) than in control biopsies. The intensity of nuclear staining and the percentage of positively stained cells for ER and PR in women with LNG-IUD were each about 50% of those in control biopsies. The results suggested that LNG released locally from the IUD has a depressive action on the ER and PR, which may contribute to the contraceptive effectiveness of this type of IUD and also to the possible causes of LNG-IUD-induced irregular bleeding and amenorrhoea.

Effect of Ox-LDL on endothelium-dependent response in pig ciliary artery: prevention by an ET(A) antagonist

PURPOSE

To investigate whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) affects endothelium-dependent responses in isolated porcine ciliary arteries.

METHODS

In a myograph system for isometric force measurements, quiescent vessels were incubated with 50 microg/ml, 100 microg/ml, or 200 microg/ml Ox-LDL; 100 microg/ml native LDL (n-LDL); 1 microM of the ET(A)- endothelin receptor antagonist BQ 123; 100 microg/ml Ox-LDL coadministered with 1 microM BQ 123; or 100 microg/ml Ox-LDL coadministered with 50 microM of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Vessels with nonfunctional endothelium (intentionally and mechanically damaged) were also exposed to 100 microg/ml Ox-LDL. Two hours later, vessels were washed, precontracted with the thromboxane A2 analog U 46619 (approximately 0.1 microM), and exposed to bradykinin (0.1 nM to 3 microM), an endothelium-dependent relaxing agent.

RESULTS

In quiescent vessels, Ox-LDL evoked delayed contractions. In contrast, no contractions were observed after exposure to n-LDL, BQ 123, Ox-LDL with BQ 123, or Ox-LDL with cycloheximide. In vessels with nonfunctional endothelium, Ox-LDL did not evoke contraction. Bradykinin-induced relaxations were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by Ox-LDL, but not by n-LDL, BQ 123 alone, Ox-LDL with BQ 123, or Ox-LDL with cycloheximide.

CONCLUSIONS

In porcine ciliary arteries, Ox-LDL affects endothelium-dependent responses through the activation of ET(A)- endothelin receptors. As Ox-LDL can accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques, such a mechanism might be involved in the occlusion of the ophthalmic circulation observed in patients with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

[Pathogenic gene linkage analysis and hemopoietic characteristics in a kindred with sideroblastic anemia]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of pathogenic gene linkage and hemopoietic characteristics in a kindred with sideroblastic anemia.

METHODS

PCR amplification of the microsatellites DXS991,DXS1199 in chromosome Xp11.22 linked gene ALAS2 and of the microsatellite DXS1226 in Xp22. 13 linked another irrelevant gene and analysis of gene linkage in a kindred with 2 patients and 7 normal persons. The bone marrow hemopoietic cells from 2 patients were cultured in condition culture matrix with various cytokines added in and the CFU-E, CFU-GM and CFU-Meg formations were observed at different times.

RESULTS

The kindred study revealed that pathogenic gene linked with DXS991 and DXS1199 but did not link with DXS1226.Hemopoietic cell culture showed that erythroid colonies of the two patients grew more vigorously than controls and they could grew in the absence of Epo except in common condition matrix. The erythroid colonies withered after a week and were smaller than the controls after 13 days.

CONCLUSION

The kindred is subject to an X-linked sideroblastic anemia(XLSA) with the pathogenic gene ALAS2 involved. In XLSA,the function of stem cells is primarily normal before erythropoiesis, then the erythroid progenitors become dysplasia.

[Protective effects of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein on the vital organ function after endotoxic shock in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effects of BPI on the vital organ function after endotoxic shock in rats, and to provide experimental evidence for further clinical studies.

METHODS

12.5 mg/kg of E. coli 026:B6 LPS were bolus injected via i.a. to reproduce endotoxic shock. Immediately after injection of LPS, 5 mg/kg of BPI or equal volume of physiological saline were bolus injected via i.a.

RESULTS

The survival time of shocked animals was prolonged in the BPI group, 24 h survival rate was higher than that in the saline group. The values of mean arterial pressure, left intraventricular systolic pressure, isovolemic ventricular pressure, and dp/dtmax in the BPI group were markedly higher than those in the saline group. The plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and urea nitrogen levels were obviously lower than those in the saline group. The plasma endotoxin and TNF levels in the BPI group were significantly lower than those in the saline group.

CONCLUSIONS

BPI has good protective effects on cardiac, hepatic, and renal function in endotoxic shock in rats, indicating that BPI might be useful in clinic treatment of sepsis/septic shock.

[Morphological study on chronic hypertrophic rhinitis treated with cryosurgery]

OBJECTIVE

To approach the effect of cryosurgery on the mucous membrane of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.

METHODS

Thirty cases of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis treated with cryosurgery were observed by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Before cryosurgery, the mucous epithelia were squamous metaplastic. After the first cryosurgery, the epithelia degenerated and fell off. After the second cryosurgery, the epithelia regenerated and cilia formed.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that cryosurgery could diminish the pathological changes and improve the nasal function.

beta-adrenergic stimulation induces transient imbalance between myocardial substrate uptake and metabolism in vivo

At steady state, a balance is expected between net myocardial uptake of the principal exogenous carbon substrates and the rate at which these substrates are metabolized. Such a balance is present when the sum of the oxygen extraction ratios (OERs) for glucose, lactate, and free fatty acids (FFA) is near unity. We have previously observed that systemic administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (Iso) induces a state of excess myocardial substrate uptake relative to the rate of substrate metabolism, reflected by a sum of OERs significantly >1.0. This occurs in conjunction with an Iso-stimulated increase in circulating insulin levels. The goal of the present study was to determine whether this excess substrate uptake depends on the effects of insulin and time. In open-chest anesthetized pigs, myocardial blood flow, substrate uptake, and oxygen consumption were measured at baseline and during systemic administration of Iso (0.08 microgram. kg-1. min-1 iv) under the following conditions: group 1 (n = 10), normal endogenous insulin release; group 2 (n = 10), inhibition of endogenous insulin release with somatostatin; group 3 (n = 7), at 45 and 90 min Iso; group 4 (n = 7), at 45 and 90 min Iso, with exogenous insulin given during the latter measurement. In group 1, plasma insulin rose fivefold with Iso while the sum of the OERs for glucose, lactate, and FFA increased from 0.92 +/- 0.21 at baseline to 1.57 +/- 0.17 with Iso (P < 0.01). In group 2, somatostatin blunted the increase in insulin with Iso and there was no significant change in the sum of OERs between baseline and Iso. In group 3, the sum of OERs increased from 0.95 +/- 0.11 at baseline to 1.69 +/- 0.20 at 45 min Iso (P < 0.01), similar to the response of group 1. However, the state of excess substrate uptake was transient; by 90 min Iso the sum of OERs declined to 0.69 +/- 0.21 (P < 0.05 vs. 45 min Iso). In group 4, excess substrate uptake could not be sustained at 90 min Iso despite administration of exogenous insulin. Systemic beta-adrenergic stimulation causes a transient condition of myocardial substrate uptake in excess of metabolism. Increased plasma insulin is necessary to produce this condition, but a high insulin level does not prolong the condition.

[Ultrastructure study of endocrine factors affected intrabony pocket repair in dogs]

OBJECTIVE:Endocrine factors affected on alveolar bone repair in ultrastructure level were observed. METHODS: The two osseous wall infrabony pockets in 24 dog models were divided into 4 groups randomly. The dogs were sacrificed in groups of 2 successively at 1 month,2 months and 6 months after operation.The alveolar bone was prepared for light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observation. RESULTS: The bone formation was slower in ovariectomy group than in normal control group.The bone osteoporos was occurred in diabetes group and the bone formation decreased in thyroidism group. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that endocrine factors may influence and regulate the repair and resorption of alveolar bone.

[The microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in chromosome translocation breakpoint in leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) near the chromosome translocation breakpoints of various types of leukemia.

METHODS

PCR amplification of 11 microsatellite loci closely linked to chromosome translocation breakpoints in 30 leukemia patients.

RESULTS

Twenty one in 30 cases of leukemia had MSI in from 1 to 14 microsatellite loci. Eleven in 15 cases of acute leukemia had microsatellite instability (MSI) in more than 1 locus; among them 4 cases had MSI in from 7 to 11 loci. In order of MSI presence rate were D22S315>D9S179>D16S515>D8S559>D12S89. In six cases of chronic myeloid leukemia, 4 cases had MSI in more than 3 loci. Thirteen (2/15) percent of acute leukemia patients had loss of heterozygosity (LOH); the rate was higher than that in other leukemia types.

CONCLUSION

The results of MSI and LOH in many cases indicate that there are a lot of allelic alterations in leukemia patients, but those changes have no special relationship with chromosome translocation breakpoints in various leukemia types.

[Clinical effects of chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy for advanced lung cancer.]

BACKGROUND

To study the curative effects by concomitant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for advanced lung cancer.

METHODS

FromJanuary 1992 to December 1994 , radiotherapy was given in 52 patients with advanced lung cancer after 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy. The radiation does ranged from 55-70 Gy/ 5. 5-7 weeks.

RESULTS

The complete response (CR) rate was 13. 5 % , and partial response (PR) rate was 51. 9 %. The overall effective (CR + PR) rate was 65. 4 %. The median survival period was 15. 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is preferable in treating advanced lung cancer.

Pathologic changes, mechanisms and diagnosis in renal bone disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence rate, pathologic changes, mechanisms and diagnostic methods in renal bone disease.

METHODS

The blood levels of carboxyterminal parpthyriod hormone (C-PTH), 1,25(OH)2D3, calcium and phosphate, aluminum in serum and bone tissue were measured. The bone biopsy and bone scan with 99m technetium methylene diphosphonate (99mTC-MDP) were performed in 51 uremic patients.

RESULTS

One hundred per cent of the patients had varying degree of pathologic changes in bone, in which 50.9% of the patients presented high-turnover bone disease, 7.8% of the patients presented low-turnover bone disease and 41.8% of the patients had mixed-type bone disease. The levels of serum C-PTH were predominently high in high-turnover bone disease while the levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 were significantly decreased in low-turnover bone disease. There was a high positive rate for the diagnosis of renal bone disease by bone scan with 99mTC-MDP.

CONCLUSIONS

The examination of bone pathology is the most valuable method for the diagnosis of renal bone disease. Bone scan with 99mTC-MDP has reference value when clinical conditions do not allow to make bone biopsy.

Semi-quantitative study of calcitonin gene methylation in myelodysplastic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether hypermethylation of calcitonin (CT) gene could serve as a transforming signal of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to leukemia.

METHODS

Bone marrow aspirates from 35 MDS patients, including 25 refractory anemia (RA), 10 refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB) or refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEBt) and 7 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformed from MDS, were studied on methylation rate in 5' end of CT gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using methylation-sensitive endonuclease Hpa II with external references of undigested DNA and Msp I digested DNA and internal reference of 112 bp fragment containing codon 61 of N-ras oncogene. The results were expressed as calcitonin gene methylation rate (CTMR) calculated from the densitometer-analyzed integral calculus of PCR products of 566 bp CT(a1), 112 bp N-ras(b1) by using Hpa II-digested DNA and PCR products of 566 bp CT (a0), 112 bp N-ras(b0) by using undigested DNA according to the formula, CTMR = (a1/b1)/(a0/b0) x 100%.

RESULTS

The CTMRs in total 35 MDS, 25 RA, 10 RAEBt and 7 cases of AML transformed from MDS were 36.87% +/- 25.10%, 28.12% +/- 24.01%, 58.74% +/- 16.49%, and 54.03% +/- 7.06% respectively, significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that hypermethylation of CT gene occurs in early stage of leukemic transformation and CTMR might be a useful marker in predicting the transformation of MDS to AML.

[An in vitro of acrylonitrile inducing early damage on buccal mucosa of murine]

ObJECTIVE:Understand the change and damage of rats and mice buccal mucosa tissue structure posioned by acrylonitrile and alcohol. METHODS: Using optical microscope and transmitted electron microscope (TEM) techniques, observed the structure of rats and mice buccal mucosa which posioned by acrylonitrile and alcohol for 13 weeks in different dosages. RESULTS: Acrylonitrile can damage the ultrastructure of the cells and lead to precancerous dysplasia,such as enlargement and deformation of nuclei, reducing of desmosomes and hemidesmosomes,break of basement membrane,swelling and denaturalization of mitochondrion. The degree of damage was correlated with its dosage. Alcohol can increase the damage caused by acrylonitrile. CONCLUSION: Both acrylonitrile and alcohol can destroy the ultrastructure of cells,TEM is helpful for diagnosing disease in their early stage,and buccal mucosa can be used as a window for observing the disease caused by many toxic factors.

Regulation of interleukin 1 signalling through integrin binding and actin reorganization: disparate effects on NF-kappaB and stress kinase pathways

Interleukin 1 (IL-1)-mediated gene regulation is dependent on cell-matrix interactions. Both IL-1-activated pathways, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), can be regulated by cell adhesion and changes in the cytoskeleton, suggesting that cell-matrix effects on IL-1 responses are initiated in part though effects on signal transduction. Here we show that IL-1-induced transient alterations in cell shape and in the cytoskeleton in fibronectin attached cells are correlated with effects on peak activity of NF-kappaB and SAPK. Cells on fibronectin showed a 1.5-2-fold enhancement in IL-1-induced NF-kappaB activity compared with levels in cells on poly(l-lysine) or bare tissue culture plates. The effect was increased with increasing concentrations of fibronectin and was most prominent at lower concentrations of IL-1. In contrast, fibronectin attachment caused an approx. 50% decrease in the IL-1 activation of SAPK, eliminating the peak activity after 15 min of stimulation with IL-1. IL-1-induced NF-kappaB activity showed a successive, substratum-independent increase during 4 h of attachment and spreading, whereas the inhibitory effect of fibronectin on the SAPK pathway was induced at the initial stages of attachment. Further, the addition of a peptide containing the motif RGD resulted in a 40% decrease in NF-kappaB activity in cells on fibronectin, largely accounted for by an effect on the p50/p65 heterodimer. Similarly, blocking of integrin aggregation by RGD-containing peptide resulted in a total abrogation of the fibronectin effect on IL-1-induced SAPK activity. The results demonstrate disparate effects of cell adhesion on the activation by IL-1 of the NF-kappaB and SAPK pathways. Thus fibronectin attachment causes an up-regulation of NF-kappaB activity in the presence of IL-1, whereas in contrast it results in a pronounced decrease in IL-1-induced SAPK activity.

A simplified routine assay for urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol

Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) level may provide us with a biochemical index for central noradrenergic activity. Previous methods for assaying MHPG in urine often lacked specificity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness or convenience. We now describe a simplified routine assay for urinary MHPG by high-pressure liquid chromatography using electrochemical detection. For convenience and cost-effectiveness within a typical batch assay of total MHPG, 0.5 mL of urine sample, 50 microL of glusulase and 4 micrograms iso-vanillyl alcohol (internal standard) were used to hydrolyze conjugated MHPG at 37 degrees C overnight. Alternatively, for a same-day operation, it is efficient to hydrolyze the sample at 50 degrees C for 3 hours. Each sample was separated isocratically on a reversed-phase column (Ultracarb 5 ODS) at 25 degrees C with the flow rate at 1 mL/min. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were found to be 4.0% (n = 10) and 5.0% (n = 27), respectively, for MHPG at a mean concentration of 1.9 mg/L. Sulfatase or glucuronidase can be substituted for glusulase to obtain either sulfate- or glucuronide-conjugated MHPG. This procedure requires smaller sample amounts and less preparation time without compromising sensitivity and reproducibility.

Distribution of endotoxins in tissues and circulation and its effects following hemorrhagic shock

OBJECTIVE

To systemically investigate 1) distribution of endogenous endotoxin (ET) in tissues and circulation; 2) its relationship with shock duration and organ damage; and 3) its possible mechanism after hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

To further elucidate the intrinsic relationship between endogenous endotoxin translocation and hemorrhagic shock, the present study systematically investigated the distribution of endogenous ET into the liver, lungs, kidneys and circulation, and the relationship between ET levels and the corresponding organ dysfunction with limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) chromogenic assay following hemorrhagic shock in rats.

RESULTS

It was found that ET levels in hepatic homogenate markedly increased (P = 0.09) 1.5 hours following shock compared with that in the sham group. After resuscitation, ET levels in hepatic, pulmonary and renal tissues were all significantly elevated. The levels kept increasing with the prolonged experimental time, and reached as high as 3.88 +/- 0.95 EU (endotoxin unit)/g in the livers, 2.53 +/- 1.46 EU/g in the lungs and 2.51 +/- 0.89 EU/g in the kidneys 12 hours after shock. ET levels in plasma reached a peak of 1.13 +/- 0.42 EU/ml at 1 hour following resuscitation, then rapidly decreased to the sham levels 3 hours following resuscitation. There was a close relationship between endotoxin translocation and shock duration. Correlation analysis further indicated that the changes in glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in plasma and angiotensin I-converting exzyme (ACE) in pulmonary homogenate were significantly and positively correlated with the ET levels in the liver, kidneys and lungs after hemorrhagic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemorrhagic shock can induce obvious endogenous ET translocation, which is closely related to the shock duration. Although only transient endotoxemia occurs after hemorrhagic shock, ET can massively accumulate in tissues (liver, lungs and kidneys), and may play an important role in the development of shock.

Employment of trauma and injury severity score and a severity characterization of trauma in the outcome evaluation of trauma care and their research advances

OBJECTIVE

To review the application of trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) and a severity characterization of trauma (ASCOT) in the outcome evaluation of trauma care and their research advances.

DATA SOURCES

Both Chinese- and English-language literature searched by using MEDLINE/CD-ROM (1985-1996) and Index of Chinese-Language Literature (1985-1996).

STUDY SELECTION

Over fifty papers and reviews published over the past ten years were selected.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

TRISS can be employed for different purposes, that is, preliminary outcome-based evaluation (PRE) and definitive outcome-based evaluation (DEF). TRISS is a method which is now the most extensively used for the outcome evaluation of trauma. Even so, it still has some shortcomings, e.g., trauma can not be given the weights that should be given, and the section of age is too simple. ASCOT is also a physiologic and anatomic combined method for the evaluation of injury severity and outcome. To some extent, this method obviates the shortcomings of TRISS in the calculation of probability of survival (Ps) with injury severity score (ISS). Therefore, ASCOT is considered to be superior to TRISS in the evaluation of Ps. However, TRISS is still now more extensively used than ASCOT just because ASCOT was recently developed.

Kinetics of plasma cytokines and its clinical significance in patients with severe trauma

OBJECTIVE

To examine the kinetics of plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients with severe trauma and to discuss their relationship with organ damage and endotoxemia.

METHODS

Seventeen patients (10 men and 7 women) with severe trauma were selected in this study. Their mean age was 37.9 +/- 11.9 years. All patients were divided into two groups according to injury severity score (ISS): group I with ISS from 16-25 (18.8 +/- 2.9, n = 10) and group II with ISS more than 25 (34.3 +/- 8.3, n = 7). Ten young healthy volunteers (6 men and 4 women) were used as controls. Plasma TNF alpha and IL-8 levels were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6 activity in the plasma was determined by bioassay with IL-6-dependent cell-line 7TD1. Limulus amebocyte lysate chromogenic test was used for plasma endotoxin assay.

RESULTS

Plasma cytokine levels in patients with trauma had a successively significant increase. Plasma TNF level increased earlier. Increases in plasma IL-6 and IL-8 occurred later. All the increases were significantly correlated with the severity of trauma and organ damage after trauma. In addition, obvious endotoxemia occurred at the early stage of trauma and was significantly correlated with the severity of trauma and the levels of plasma TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-8.

CONCLUSIONS

Release of TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 can be significantly increased in patients with severe trauma. The increase may be related to massive endotoxin translocation and may play an important role in the development of organ damage after trauma.

[The effect of hypertonic saline solution on the rheology after burn-blast combined injury]

To study the effect of hypertonic saline solution on the rheology and putative mechanism, we investigated the changes of plasma viscosity, blood viscosity and reduced viscosity in dogs treated with hypertonic saline solution after burn-blast combined injury and observed the effect of hypertonic saline solution therapy on the viscoelastic property of erythrocyte membranes measured by micropippette aspiration technique in rats with burn. The results showed that the blood viscosity and reduced viscosity increased significantly in dogs after injury, and plasma viscosity also increased significantly at 24 h after injury. Elastic moduli and viscous coefficients of erythrocyte membranes increased obviously in rats after burn. The hypertonic saline solution therapy could significantly improve blood viscosity and reduced viscosity, but it did not significantly improve elastic moduli and viscous coefficients of erythrocyte membranes. These suggested that the hardness of erythrocyte membranes increased, the deform property of erythrocyte membranes decreased, and the blood rheology became worse after burn blast combined injury. Hypertonic saline solution therapy could significantly improve the blood rheology. The effect did not bear a significant relationship with the change of single biomechanics property of erythrocyte membranes. It might be related with other factors.

Effect of hemorrhagic shock on endotoxin-induced TNF production and its molecular mechanism in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) induced by low-dose (1 microgram/kg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its cellular source after hemorrhagic shock (HS) in rats, and to further analyze the mechanism for increased sensitivity to LPS through looking at expression of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) mRNA in the liver, lungs and kidneys. It was found in vivo that plasma TNF alpha levels in the HS + LPS group were 20-fold higher than that in the HS group (P < 0.01), and 2.7-fold higher than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05). It was shown in vitro that the capacity of peripheral white blood cells to produce TNF alpha in response to LPS stimulation was significantly decreased by 126% (P < 0.01) and 57% (P < 0.05) compared with pre-shock levels and the sham group respectively at the end of resuscitation following shock, and was still markedly decreased 3 hours after resuscitation, while the capacity of Kupffer cells was significantly increased by 110% compared with the sham group (P < 0.01) after shock and resuscitation. Results from RT-PCR showed that expression of LBP mRNA in the liver, lungs and kidneys was increased after shock and resuscitation. It is suggested that hemorrhagic shock could significantly enhance endotoxin-induced TNF alpha production, which might be due to up-regulation of LBP expression in tissues after shock, and tissue macrophages might be the main source of cytokine production.

Analysis of tumor specific immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in peripheral blood B-cells of multiple myeloma patients by a PCR-SSCP method

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clonal relationship between lymphocytes in peripheral blood (PB) and myeloma cell in bone marrow (BM) for proving the existence of circulating tumor cells in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with MM who have no cytomorphologic plasma cells and CyIg+ cells in PB demonstrated by anti-kappa and anti delta MoAbs using ABC method were involved in the present study, including 3 cases in phases I-II and 15 cases in phase III. The complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We further analysed the single strand conformation of the PCR products by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to detect the mononuclear cells in PB and BM of the patients simultaneously.

RESULTS

The same PCR products of IgH-CDR3 gene with BM samples were found in PB of 11 MM patients. The same PCR products and single strand conformation in both PB and BM were found in 9 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has proved the presence of identical clonal malignant cells in PB and BM of MM patients. B cells are involved in the pathogenesis of MM.

Lack of bradykinin-induced smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization despite heterocellular dye coupling and endothelial cell hyperpolarization in porcine ciliary artery

In porcine coronary artery, bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilatations are associated with simultaneous endothelium as well as endothelium-dependent smooth muscle cell (SMC) hyperpolarizations. In contrast, in porcine ciliary artery bradykinin evokes endothelium-dependent relaxations, but no change in SMC membrane potential. This study addresses the question of whether the lack of bradykinin-induced SMC hyperpolarization is also associated with an absence of endothelial hyperpolarization in porcine ciliary artery. With a microelectrode to impale cells in arterial strips, a 12-mV transient bradykinin-induced hyperpolarization was measured in endothelial cells. Bradykinin evoked no SMC hyperpolarization deep in the media. Only occasionally, a slight 4-mV hyperpolarization could be recorded in some SMC next to the endothelium. The endothelial intracellular injection (through the recording electrode) of the fluorescent tracers, lucifer yellow or ethidium bromide, showed the existence of a heterocellular dye coupling between endothelial cells and SMC. These observations in porcine ciliary artery demonstrate that the lack of bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent SMC hyperpolarization is not due to an absence of endothelial cell hyperpolarization, but most likely to an insufficient electrotonic propagation space constant from endothelial cells to SMC, despite the presence of a dye coupling between these cells.

Analysis of clonality of lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma by T-cell receptor gene rearrangement

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relationship between the number of T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene rearrangement and clonality of malignant cells in lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma.

METHODS

The TCR gamma gene characteristics of 73 cases of lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma and other diseases that had presented 1 or 2 prominent bands of amplified TCR gamma VI subgroups-J1/2 gene rearrangement (GR) were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzymes (PCR-RE), heteroduplex formation (HDF), DNA sequencing and single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP).

RESULTS

Thirty-four percent patients had 2 of TCR gamma GR (biallelic rearrangement); twenty-six percent had 1 of TCR gamma GR; fifty-four percent of acute lymphocytic leukemia's and nineteen percent of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) had 2 of TCR gamma GR. HDF could rapidly confirm more than 1 of alleles while more alleles were difficult to be recognized by restriction analysis. Sense and antisense strands of heteroduplex were composed of 2 of TCR gamma GR respectively. By combining HDF method, oligoclonalities in three patients (2 acute lympholytic leukemia and 1 myelodysplastil syndrome and clone evolution in one NHL were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The fact that many patients had 2 of TCR GR means that complications of two neoplastic clones can be affirmed only if more than 2 of TCR GR are found. HDF can be used to detect the clonality, oligoclonality and polyclonality of lymphoid cells in lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma by analysis of the difference of gene segments. HDF is a reliable method for the clone evolution research of lymphoid malignancies in progression.

[Stimulatory effect of sodium deoxycholate on alpha-ergocryptine productivity of Claviceps purpurea 94002 (EKPN94002)]

The stimulation of sodium deoxycholate (SDC) on alpha-ergocryptine production of Claviceps purpurea strain 94002 (EKPN94002) was investigated. Preliminary results indicated that SDC, as a stimulator and at appropriate concentrations, could obviously increase the extracellular and the total production levels of the ergot alkaloid. Satisfied results were obtained when 6.0 mg.L-1 of SDC was present in the seed and fermentation media. The possible mechanism was discussed.

Relaxation by bradykinin in porcine ciliary artery. Role of nitric oxide and K(+)-channels

PURPOSE

To assess the effects of K(+)-channel blockers on bradykinin-induced relaxations in porcine ciliary artery.

METHODS

Vascular isometric forces were measured with a myograph system. Ciliary vascular rings were precontracted with thromboxane A2 analog (U 46619, 10(-7) M) to assess dose-dependent (10(-10)-3 x 10(-6) M) bradykinin-induced relaxation after addition of one of the following: the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) or inactive enantiomer (D-NAME, 10(-4) M); the nonspecific K(+)-channel blocker tetra-ethylammonium (TEA, 10(-2) M); or the ATP-sensitive K(+)-channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-5) M). The effect of TEA on relaxations to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-10)-10(-4) M) was investigated. The membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was recorded after exposure to bradykinin (2.5 x 10(-7) M).

RESULTS

Endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin (maximal [max], 99% +/- 3%) were strongly inhibited by L-NAME (max, 39% +/- 4%, P < 0.01) and partially by TEA (max, 62% +/- 3%, P < 0.01) or glibenclamide (max, 77% +/- 4%, P < 0.01). Administration of glibenclamide plus L-NAME further suppressed bradykinin-induced relaxation (max, 23% +/- 6%; P < 0.01), whereas TEA and L-NAME (max, 6% +/- 2%; P < 0.01) abolished the relaxation. SNP relaxations were unaffected by TEA. Bradykinin had no effect on the membrane potential of VSMC.

CONCLUSIONS

In porcine ciliary artery, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin are primarily mediated by NO and involve K(+)-channels. As only relaxations to bradykinin, but not those mediated by SNP, were inhibited by TEA, this implies that K(+)-channel blockers most likely affect the bradykinin-evoked NO production or release by the endothelium.

A preliminary morphometric study on the endometrium from patients treated with indomethacin-releasing copper intrauterine device

The intrauterine device (IUD) is an effective method of birth control. However, IUD-induced uterine bleeding is a major side-effect and always causes inconvenience, sometimes even anaemia. It has been reported that oral administration of indomethacin could can reduce IUD-induced uterine bleeding. In the present study, we investigated whether indomethacin-releasing copper IUD (IR-Cu-IUD) can prevent insertion-induced uterine bleeding and its mechanism. Nine healthy volunteers of reproductive age were selected for the study. Endometrial tissues were collected at same menstrual stage prior to and 3-6 months after IR-Cu-IUD insertion. Endometrial morphology, cell proliferation/differentiation, morphometry and activity of complement Factor VIII were examined. No significant difference was found in any of the parameters examined in the same patients, both prior to and after IR-Cu-IUD insertion. By comparison with data previously obtained from the patients who had Cu-IUD insertions, it is clear that IR-Cu-IUD markedly reduced IUD-induced uterine bleeding and this reduction is primarily contributed by the anti-inflammatory action of indomethacin.

[Changes of BDNF mRNA by molecular hybridization during embryonic spinal cord repairing injury of adult rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) BDNF mRNA during embroyonic spinal cord repairing spinal cord injury of adult rats.

METHODS

At day 1,3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 30 after embryonic spinal cord being transplanted into acutely injured spinal cord of adult rats, changes of BDNF mRNA within donor tissue and host tissue were demonstrated qualitatively and quantitatively by in situ hybridization and dot hybridization.

RESULTS

Qualitatively, BDNF mRNA was mainly expressed within cytoplasm of motor neurons and a few gliocytes in normal spinal cord. After spinal cord injury, hybridizing products expanded to the mediate and small-sized neurons, also more gliocytes took part in hybridization response. Following transplantation, positively hybridizing neurons and gliocytes increased in number in host tissue, and embryonic spinal cord kept an expressing level similar to that before being transplanted. It was also revealed quantitatively that reacting intensity of the cells in the injured group was strikingly higher than that in the normal group. However, hybridization intensity in the transplanted group was even higher at many intervals than that in the injured group. Besides, the lasting period for hybridization reaction in the transplanted group was also different from that in the injured group. The most intensive reacting phase in the former presented at day 10 and 15, and in the latter at day 7 after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that transplanted embryonic spinal cord can, besides provision neurol trophines for itself and host spinal cord, evoke synthetic mechanisms of host spinal cord once holding during its embryonic development so as to enhance expression of the neurotrophin. In this way, the host spinal cord may provide neurotrophin for its regeneration and provide an trophic environment for the grafts to develop and differentiate.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Annona muricata]

Annonaceous acetogenin (or polyketide) is a kind of potential antineoplastic agents from Annonaceae plants. Two new acetogenins, Muricatalicin (I) and muricatalin (VI), a mesitoate of a new acetogenin, annonacin-B mesitoate (Vb), and three known acetogenins, annonacin (II), annonacin-A (III) and annonacin-10-one (IV) have been isolated from Annona muricata L. The structures and relative stereochemistry of I, VI and Vb were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and examination of their acetates and/or mesitoate.

[A study on relationship between chemotherapy of acute leukemia and apoptosis in vivo]

In order to investigate whether apoptosis occurs in vivo in patients with leukemia in different stage (before, during and after chemotherapy). We detect apoptosis of peripheral blood leukemia cells in 10 patients before, during and after chemotherapy with in situ TdT fluorescence measurement and DNA electrophoresis. The results showed that apoptotic cells were few (0-2.9%) before chemotherapy, increased obviously (11.4%-72.0%) during chemotherapy in patients with complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR), but decreased (0-2.9%) after chemotherapy (10-14 days). Apoptotic cells were few (0-5.7%) during chemotherapy in four patients without remission. Therefore, only effective drug therapy could induce apoptosis. DNA ladder cannot be detected by agarose gel electrophoresis either before, during and after chemotherapy. So we considered that in situ TdT assay is possible to apoptosis in vivo in the early course of chemotherapy for immediate modification of chemotherapy, while electrophoretic analysis is not sensitive enough to detect apoptotic cells in vivo.

Amlodipine and benazeprilat differently affect the responses to endothelin-1 and bradykinin in porcine ciliary arteries: effects of a low and high dose combination

PURPOSE

Visual field defects caused by vasospasm are often encountered in ophthalmology as a feature of glaucoma with poor response to conventional treatment. Combination therapy with drugs acting via different mechanisms might be more effective. Therefore, the effects of the calcium antagonist amlodipine and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor benazeprilat at low and high dose combination on contractions to endothelin-1 and endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin were examined in porcine ciliary arteries.

METHODS

Segments of the arteries were suspended in myographs for isometric tension recording.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of the vessels with either amlodipine, the low or high dose combination significantly reduced the sensitivity to endothelin-1 as compared to control (concentration shift 18.3-fold, 14.2-fold, 23.3-fold respectively; p < 0.05), while benazeprilat was ineffective. The maximal response to endothelin-1 (10(-7) M) was most inhibited by the high dose combination which reduced the contractions by 49% as compared to control (p < 0.05). The low dose combination and amlodipine alone were less effective (reduction: 25%; p < 0.05 and 20%; n.s., respectively). On the other hand, benazeprilat enhanced the sensitivity (concentration shift 73-fold; p < 0.05) and maximal relaxation to bradykinin (by 27%; p < 0.01), whereas amlodipine or the low or high dose combination were ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that amlodipine and benazeprilat differently affect vascular function of ciliary arteries. A high dose combination of both substances was most effective in inhibiting contractions to endothelin-1, suggesting a potentiating effect of the two compounds. In contrast, endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin were enhanced by benazeprilat alone, but not when combined with amlodipine.

Expression of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 mRNA, release of TNF alpha in vital organs and their relationship with endotoxin translocation following hemorrhagic shock

This study was designed to systematically investigate expression of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, Il-6 mRNA in the liver, lungs and kidneys, release of TNF alpha in the above tissues, their relationship with hepatic, pulmonary and renal dysfunction, and distribution of endogenous endotoxin in tissues after hemorrhagic shock in mice and rats, with reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, etc, to elucidate the kinetics of expression and release of major cytokines in vital organs, their role and mechanism of production in shock. The results were: 1. expression of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 mRNA in vital organs successively increased after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, and TNF alpha expression was the first to appear followed by IL-1 beta. Though expression of IL-6 mRNA appeared late, it persisted longer; 2. TNF alpha levels in the liver, lungs and kidneys were all elevated but to different degrees after shock and resuscitation. At 3 hours after resuscitation, TNF alpha levels in the three above tissues were still significantly high, while plasma TNF alpha levels were already decreased to control levels; 3. hepatic, pulmonary and renal functions were damaged to different degrees after hemorrhagic shock, with hepatic dysfunction being the most severe; 4. endotoxin levels in the liver, lungs and kidneys were markedly increased after shock and resuscitation, and paralleled the expression of cytokine genes. In addition, there was significant correlation between changes in endotoxin level in tissues and TNF alpha release in tissues during early shock. It is suggested that expression and release of cytokines in vital organs might play an important role in local organ damage after hemorrhagic shock, and production of cytokines is related to endotoxin translocation.

[Quantitative study of calcitonin gene methylation in myelodysplastic syndromes]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of calcitonin gene hypermethylation in the transformation from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to acute myeloid leukemias (AML).

METHODS

The methylation rate of calcitonin gene (CTMR) in the genomic DNA extracted from bone marrow cell of 27 MDS patients and 6 AML patients with antecedent MDS were studied by PCR amplification of Hpa I digested DNA, with external reference of undigested and Msp I digested DNA and internal reference of 112bp fragment containing N-ras-61. Intensity of silver-stained PCR products was measured by densitometer and analysed using the computer program.

RESULTS

The CTMR was significantly higher in MDS (33.65% +/- 23.37%) than in control group (P<0.001), in 9 RAEB(T) (58.35% +/- 17.44%) than in the control and RA groups. Five RA patients who have survived three to ten years without leukemia, have a normal CTMR. Seven of 8 RAEB(T) patients who had a high CTMR of more than 30% evolved into AML in two months.

CONCLUSION

CTMR might be a useful marker for predicting the evolution of MDS into AML.

[Analysis of clonality with immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement fingerprinting map in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the types of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement and the co-existing clones in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) were used to construct the IgH-PCR-SSCP gene fingerprinting.

RESULTS

Of the 34 gene fingerprinting maps obtained from newly diagnosed ALL, 9 (32.14%) were one allelic rearrangement and 15 (53.75%) were biallelic in mono-clonal rearrangements. Four cases (14.29%) with high white cell count and precursor-B immunophenotype were oligoclonal rearrangements.

CONCLUSION

There were multiple IgH bi-allelic rearrangements and co-existing clones in childhood ALL.

Detection of minimal residual disease in leukemia using polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the clinical outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the status of minimal residual disease after termination of therapy.

METHODS

A total of 18 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were studied. Eleven cases were treated with chemotherapy, the other 7 with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). The outcome of the 18 patients was obtained by clinical follow-up. Minimal residual disease was detected by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis.

RESULTS

Minimal residual disease was detected in 9 patients after completion of therapy. Three out of the 9 patients relapsed within 3 to 6 months. Among the other 9 patients with no detectable minimal residual disease, no one relapsed.

CONCLUSIONS

PCR detection of minimal residual disease after termination of therapy can identify patients at risk for relapse in future. Minimal residual disease that cannot be detected after termination of therapy may be one of the important factors for long-term disease-free survival.

Identification and analysis of the complete cDNA sequence for the human FAC1 gene

The complete cDNA sequence for the FAC1 gene has been isolated from human fetal brain. The FAC1 cDNA encodes for a protein of 810 amino acids that contains a putative Zn(2+)-finger binding domain, nuclear transport signals and a charged acidic domain that may function in protein-protein interactions. Identification of the complete cDNA and protein sequence of FAC1 permits further insight into potential functions for this developmentally regulated gene product.

Endothelin-1-induced release of thromboxane A2 increases the vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1 in postischemic reperfused rat hearts

BACKGROUND

The release and vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are increased after myocardial ischemia, suggesting a role for ET-1 in ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the mechanisms of the increased vasoconstriction by ET-1 are unknown. The aim of this study was to test whether ET-1-induced release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) contributes to the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 in nonischemic hearts and whether such release can increase the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 in postischemic reperfused hearts.

METHODS AND RESULTS

ET-1-induced release of TXA2 was assessed by measurement of the concentrations of its stable metabolite thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in the coronary effluent of nonischemic and reperfused isolated rat hearts before and after administration of 0.01 nmol ET-1 using an enzyme immunoassay. The contribution of ET-1-induced release of TXA2 to the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 was assessed by measurement of the effects of ET-1 with and without the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or the TXA2/endoperoxide receptor antagonist SQ 30,741 using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In nonischemic hearts, ET-1 led to a small increase in TXB2 in the coronary effluent (3.9 +/- 1.5 pg/mL; n = 3), but neither indomethacin nor SQ 30,741 significantly diminished the vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 (reduction of coronary flow, 4.0 +/- 0.4 and 4.5 +/- 0.3 mL/min, respectively, versus 4.9 +/- 0.5 mL/min for ET-1 alone; n = 8, 6, and 9, respectively). In postischemic reperfused hearts, however, ET-1 led to a greater increase in TXB2 (13.7 +/- 1.5 pg/mL; P < .05 versus nonischemic hearts; n = 3), and both indomethacin and SQ 30,741 diminished the vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 (reduction of coronary flow, 2.6 +/- 0.3 and 2.2 +/- 0.3 mL/min, respectively, versus 4.0 +/- 0.1 mL/min for ET-1 alone; n = 8, 8, and 6, respectively; P < .05). Furthermore, indomethacin and SQ 30,741 prevented the detrimental effects of ET-1 on left ventricular developed pressure, intracellular pH, and phosphocreatine during reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

ET-1-induced release of TXA2 does not significantly contribute to the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 in nonischemic hearts but can increase the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 in postischemic reperfused hearts.

Detection of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia after termination of therapy

Using IgH and TCR gamma gene rearrangements as gene markers, we detected minimal residual disease (MRD) by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis. Of 18 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), MRDs were detected in 9 patients after termination of therapy. All 18 patients had been followed for 1.5 to 102 months after detection. Three of the nine MRD-positive patients relapsed within 3 to 6 months; none of the nine MRD-negative patients relapsed. We suggest that MRD negativity at the end of therapy might be an important factor for long-term disease-free survival, because the negative cases had a very low risk of relapse. Because the outcome for MRD-positive cases is more difficult to evaluate, patients with MRD after termination of therapy should be monitored.

[Analysis of clonal origin of concomitant chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma in a patient with advanced age]

Concomitant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare disease. Studies on the clonal origin of both lymphocyte and plasma cell in this disease has been few. So far it has not been reported in China. The paper reports a case of 92-year old patient with concomitant CLL and MM and the research results on the origin of lymphocyte and plasma cell by analyzing the morphologic characteristics, monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin Ig or TCR gene rearrangement (GR), Ig single-strand conformation polymorphsm (SSCP) fingerprint mapping and heteroduplex formation. The Ig H GR segments same in size, single strand conformation and sequence characteristics have been obtained from both peripheral blood and bone marrow DNA, even though the cells of CLL and MM had different characteristics in morphology and different secretion of IgM lambda and IgA lambda. The results suggested that the malignant cells of both CLL and MM in this patient had common origin from the B-cell.